December 2018 - James Kirst Short Story and Novel Blog

Short Story Saturday: Why You Never Celebrate in a Weird Bar

Posted on December 29, 2018September 3, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Why You Never Celebrate in a Weird Bar. Please enjoy.

Waking up after a bender is never fun but I suppose you can get used to anything. Dealing with dry mouth and nausea became as much part of the morning routine as wiping the crud out of my eyes. That’s why I never bothered even trying to give my nightly routine of staying up late drinking at random dive bars. I gotta tell you, though, what happened last night is starting to make me reconsider especially since I’m starting to feel a throbbing pain from my chest. To think,it’s not even eight o’clock yet. Continue reading “Short Story Saturday: Why You Never Celebrate in a Weird Bar”

Short Story Saturday: Christmas Eve in Utqiagvik

Posted on December 22, 2018September 4, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Christmas Eve in Utqiagvik. Please enjoy.

I’m sure for most diners having a stranger visit isn’t exactly breaking news. It’s an industry that thrives on that sort of thing. However, when you live in my neck of the woods, or should I say tundra, all you have regulars so an out of town visitor leaves an impression. Having said that, I think the visitor I got a few nights ago would leave an impression, even the busiest restaurants in New York.

Continue reading “Short Story Saturday: Christmas Eve in Utqiagvik”

Short Story Saturday: Non Morieris in Somnis Memorias

Posted on December 15, 2018September 3, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Non Morieris in Somnis Memorias. Please enjoy.

I’m walking through immaculate streets. Once vibrant and full of life, now sterile. The wind blows the leaves in front of me and serves as the town’s only occupants. The ticks of a large clock tower in the center of town reverberate against my brain with each passing step. It acts as a reminder of the inexorable nature of time. Its presence is inescapable.

I am exhausted. Not physically, mentally. Physical fatigue is impossible here.

Continue reading “Short Story Saturday: Non Morieris in Somnis Memorias”

Short Story Saturday: Consumed With Guilt

Posted on December 8, 2018September 4, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Consumed With Guilt. Please enjoy.

I never wanted to be a criminal. Oh mama, what would you think of your baby boy now? A cop car is parked outside my home right now. He’s been out there for nearly an hour. He’s waiting for me. He wants to give me a chance to confess. I will, but only after writing down my thoughts so I don’t get flustered when I make my statement in court. Public speaking makes me so nervous. If only I hadn’t lost my temper. If only I hadn’t done that terrible thing to that poor girl. She may have been rude to me. She may have ignored me. She may have taken something from me. But she didn’t deserve that. Nobody deserves what I did to her.

Continue reading “Short Story Saturday: Consumed With Guilt”

50 Tastes and Flavors

Posted on December 7, 2018August 26, 2019 by jkirst

Hey everyone! I thought it’d be fun if I shared with you the only fan fiction I ever wrote, something I penned a few years ago. I think you’ll see that this was a “completely serious attempt” to write a “completely serious fan fiction”. The story is entitled 50 Tastes and Flavors.

Continue reading “50 Tastes and Flavors”

Short Story Saturday: A Lesson in Humility

Posted on December 1, 2018August 26, 2020 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled A Lesson in Humility. The original writing prompt is taken from https://www.writersdigest.com/prompts/antiquing-writing-prompt.

It was not a family reunion that should have ever happened. Did it defy the laws of God? Nature? Life itself? To think it none of this would have ever happened had I not been so covetous for fame. Such is the price to learn a lesson in humility.

I’m an author of very little renown. I doubt you’ve ever heard of but me you may be familiar with my grandfather. If you’re a fan of his works you’ll know who I mean. He is someone I think about constantly.

Continue reading “Short Story Saturday: A Lesson in Humility”